Judicial fine

A judicial fine is a criminal penalty imposed through the day-fine system. The court first sets the number of days according to the offence, then fixes the daily amount within the statutory range in light of the person's economic situation, and multiplies the two.

The fine may be prescribed as the sole penalty, as an alternative to imprisonment or alongside it, and short prison sentences may be converted into it where the conditions are met. Time for payment may be granted and instalments are possible.

If unpaid, the fine is converted into community service, and failure to comply with that obligation turns the remainder into imprisonment. This chain marks the essential difference from administrative fines, which upon non-payment are merely collected through enforcement: the judicial fine can affect liberty, and the conviction is entered in the criminal record.